2013 ford taurus Reviews and News

Ford has been on a fuel economy mission the past few years. It has led the pack in downsizing and turbocharging engines across its line to achieve better mileage without sacrificing performance. In this vein, Ford has added a third powertrain option to the Taurus for 2013: a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder.

The 2013 Taurus is the first Ford sedan to receive the new 2.0-liter I-4, after the 2013 Explorer, Edge, and Escape SUVs. In all four applications, the engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and is rated at 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Starting this fall, the 2013 Fusion will also offer the 2.0-liter, but Ford estimates its power rating will come in at 237 hp and 250 lb-ft.) Unlike the V-6-equipped Tauruses, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost will be available only with front-wheel drive.

Compared to the naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engines available on the Taurus, the 2.0-liter turbo-four may be the engine best matched to this large sedan. From behind the wheel, the Taurus feels sprightlier and much less nose-heavy than the V-6 models. While the 2.0-liter helps even weight distribution to 55/45 front/rear (from 57/43 with the base V-6), the curb weight drops by only five pounds. Even so, the Taurus handled better when compared to the naturally-aspirated V-6. The six-speed automatic does a good job of keeping the small mill right in the heart of its power band (peak horsepower comes at 5500 rpm and peak torque at 3000 lb-ft), However, to do so, it will often shuffle between gears to keep the car moving, but it shifts smoothly and unobtrusively.

Another benefit of the four-cylinder -- and its raison d'etre -- is better fuel economy. While the 3.5-liter V-6 Taurus comes in mid-pack with its 19/29 mpg city/highway EPA rating, the new 2.0-liter I-4 offers a class-leading 22/32 mpg. The closest competitors are the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 2012 Dodge Charger, which achieve 19/31 mpg with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission. Compared even to the smaller offerings in the midsize class, the 2.0-liter Taurus barely falls shy of the four-cylinder-powered 2012 Toyota Camry (25/35 mpg) and the 2012 Honda Accord (23/34) while besting them on power by 70 and 63 hp, respectively. However, the downsized powerplant doesn't come without its own faults -- it sounds raspy under heavy throttle and a little rough at idle.

Unsurprisingly, the 2.0-liter does not solve the Taurus' biggest problem: poor packaging caused by its nearly-20-year-old underpinnings, Ford's D3 platform that started life as Volvo's P2 architecture for the first-generation S80. The Taurus is a large car -- 202.9 inches long and 76.2 inches wide -- but its interior is cramped thanks to undersized seats and an oversized center tunnel. Maybe the interior would be more comfortable if the seat bottoms were longer; as they are now, they barely come up to mid-thigh. The addition of the 2.0-liter doesn't include any changes to the chassis setup: steering is still one-finger light and feels overboosted and the ride is still floaty on the straightaways and sloppy in hard corners.

The 2013 Taurus will be available with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost starting this summer on all trim levels, save the performance-oriented SHO, of course. The 2.0-liter will be a standalone $995 option.

Ford took a lot of flack for the 2010 Taurus SHO. A big car with a big engine, the SHO had straight-line speed in spades, but when it came to braking, Ford's full-size car couldn't handle the pressure. Plagued by awkward pedal modulation and serious brake fade, the Super High Output Taurus drove more like a nostalgic marketing exercise than a red-blooded engineering effort. Ford engineers rectified several shortcomings on all Taurus models with a 2013 update, but they're especially eager to win back respect for the SHO. To that end, they're making even loftier claims about the new, optional Performance Package: they say that this 4300-pound family car is track-ready.

Key to that claim is an upgraded cooling system that, while totally unsexy from a marketing perspective, allows the SHO to be driven hard for more laps. There's a thicker radiator, an oil cooler, and a new cooling circuit that passes over the power transfer unit responsible for sending torque to the rear wheels.

Engine output is the same 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque but acceleration of the Performance Package version benefits from a shorter 3.16:1 final-drive ratio (compared to the SHO's standard 2.77:1 ratio). While not particularly characterful, the twin-turbo V-6 dishes out big torque through a wide rpm range and puts it to the ground via a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. With our test equipment, we recorded a 5.4-second run to 60 mph (without rollout) and a 13.9-second quarter-mile run at 103 mph. The performance package also raises the top speed from 131 mph to 140 mph.

Although they're a significant improvement over the old, convoluted design, the small, plasticky paddle shifters remain an afterthought. Calling gear changes manually is met with a slow response, and upshifts occur automatically at redline. And the engine's barely audible note makes it difficult to keep track of how quickly it's spinning without looking down at the digital tachometer. It's much more enjoyable to leave the transmission in sport mode and trust its well-honed logic.

The bulk of the Performance Package improvements involve the chassis, with retuned electric power steering, performance brake pads, a stiffer suspension, sport and off modes for the stability control, and grippy Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires mounted on 20-inch wheels. At the limit of adhesion, the SHO is a very stable, controlled car but the sport-mode stability control is still eager to help this nose-heavy car bend through a turn. With stability control defeated, you'll notice that the brakes have stopped intervening and the tendency to understeer is increased, but there isn't a significant change in handling behavior.

The Performance Package SHO also reaps the benefits of changes made to the entire Taurus lineup for 2013. By removing the bushings between the steering rack and the subframe, the steering is more responsive to inputs and more communicative over pavement imperfections. It's so effective that the Taurus we lapped around Grattan Raceway transmitted more road feel through its partial-Alcantara steering wheel than the new Porsche 911. Ford also continues to impress with its calibration of electric power steering systems, a skill that still eludes many automakers.

We were unable to verify Ford's claims that the brakes are truly fade free, as our track driving was limited to just two laps at a time, but the hardware upgrades have been significant. In addition to more aggressive brake pads, the Performance Package improves the calipers with stainless steel pistons that are cross-drilled for cooling purposes and fitted with special silicone seals that keep heat from passing into the brake fluid. All Tauruses now use ventilated discs at the rear and the front discs feature more cooling fins than last year's car. Around the racetrack, the SHO provided consistent and confident pedal feel. On the road, however, we still found the pedal a bit soft for our tastes. There's still a decent amount of travel in the pedal before braking becomes a function of pressure, and it's not until that point that the driver can truly modulate the effort.

The SHO's biggest weaknesses have nothing to do with performance, though. If you're looking to pilot a full-size four-door around a racetrack, you won't find a more willing chassis than this Taurus. Instead, the SHO -- as with lesser Taurus models -- shows its faults in the suburban settings where it'll be used most. The Taurus's cabin isn't nearly as large as those of many competitors. It's as if every bit of plastic and fabric has puffed up to twice its normal size, making the large-car cabin feel much smaller than it should. The track experience also suffers from a driving position with crossover-like ergonomics and seats that are swollen like a microwaved marshmallow. These are the quirks that might lead you to America's other full-size sedan with a performance pedigree. It may not be as obedient around a track, but a Dodge Charger R/T leaves quite the impression with its burly V-8, rear-wheel drive, bold styling, and limo-like spaciousness.

Adding the Performance Package to a SHO costs $1995 on top of the car's $39,995 base price. Even if you have no intentions of flogging your full-size sedan at the track, the Performance Package offers some meaningful incentives to the SHO buyer like the shorter final-drive ratio, the stability control sport mode, and the Alcantara steering wheel. And if you do have plans to lay down some laps, we suspect you'll be quite pleased to find that this SHO lives up to its promises.

It has only been two years since Ford introduced the current generation of the Taurus sedan, yet the car is already receiving a thorough makeover. That's early for a refresh in the auto industry, but Taurus sales were down last year (when overall car sales were up), so it may have been prudent for Ford to accelerate the normal timetable. Thus, the 2013 Taurus is arriving early, bringing with it a wide range of upgrades.

The main change is a facelift that brings the 2013 Taurus in line with the latest Ford family design cues. A wider front grille, narrower headlights, and a restyled hood with a larger bulge make the car's nose resemble those of the 2013 Mustang and Fusion. The rear of the car is upgraded with LED taillights, new fenders, and a redesigned trunk lid. The bright trapezoid-shaped LED taillight rings give the new Taurus a distinctive appearance from behind in the dark.

The carryover 3.5-liter V-6 engine gains variable valve timing, bumping output by 25 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque to 288 hp and 254 lb-ft. Fuel economy improves to 19/29 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive, and 18/26 mpg with the available all-wheel drive. In the hills outside Portland, Oregon, we found the V-6 engine plenty powerful. It's hard to tell whether the 25 hp bump makes a noticeable performance difference, but the revised engine is smooth and responsive across the rev range, and acceleration should be more than acceptable for the majority of Taurus customers.

Ford will launch a second engine for the Taurus in late spring. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four will produce 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, and should return 31 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately, we won't get the chance to drive a Taurus with that engine until later this year.

All models of the 2013 Taurus adopt electric power steering, which helps save fuel compared to the prior hydraulic-assist system. (It also is necessary for the Active Park Assist self-park feature.) The new steering doesn't feel as numb and artificial as in some other cars with electric assist, although the overall level of feedback is minimal. Still, the steering is both responsive enough that we felt confident on snowy and icy back roads, and light enough that we had no trouble navigating through Portland's bustling downtown.

To help combat a reputation for middling braking performance, all 2013 models of the Taurus receive a larger master cylinder and a redesigned brake booster. The result is that the brakes are strong but very easy to modulate, and there is less pedal travel. Ford says the overall goal was to make the brakes feel more responsive and more consistent.

Revised Interior

Interior changes begin with improved soft-touch materials for the dashboard and center stack. The Taurus has an updated version of the much-criticized MyFord Touch. The interface has been reprogrammed to be easier to use. The menus on the eight-inch screen are now clearer and more responsive, and many of the virtual controls have been relocated. Information is now presented more clearly, and the system proved both responsive and reliable in our brief test.

Another important change is the addition of sound deadening material to the front shock towers, A-pillars, and rear wheel-well liners. Ford says that the Taurus V-6 is now 10 percent quieter than the 2012 model--and the go-fast Taurus SHO is a claimed 15 percent quieter. While the cabin does indeed keep road and wind noise to a minimum, the Taurus still isn't quite as quiet as a luxury car.

New technologies for 2013 include Curve Control, which automatically applies the brakes if the car is entering a sharp turn too quickly; Active Park Assist, which can automatically parallel-park the car in as little as 25 seconds; and a toggle for manual gear changes on the automatic transmission shifter. Finally, Torque Vectoring Control becomes standard on all Taurus models; it can selectively apply one of the front brakes to help mitigate understeer when accelerating and turning.

SHO Me The Power

The 2013 refresh did not neglect the Taurus SHO performance variant, which benefits from the same set of visual tweaks as other models of the sedan. Buyers had previously said they wanted the SHO to stand out more from its plebian siblings, so the 2013 car gets a unique black mesh grille and new wheels.

The drivetrain is a carryover twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine that sends 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. It's no surprise that the Taurus SHO is a fast car that is huge fun to open up. The twin-turbo V-6 builds torque almost as soon as you mash the throttle, and pulls strongly at all speeds. Incidentally, Ford says the car most commonly cross-shopped with the Taurus SHO is the BMW 5-series.

What's more surprising is how well the car's chassis copes with the straight-line performance. Both the front and rear brake rotors are larger for 2013, which in tandem with a new booster and master cylinder provided strong, fade-free deceleration no matter how many times we braked hard for a sharp turn. The electric power steering is tuned for a sportier feel than regular Taurus models; it has a quick ratio and transmits a surprising amount of feedback, and it made the SHO truly enjoyable to drive aggressively through the hilly two-lane roads of rural Oregon. The steering rack is now hard-mounted to the car's front subframe, improving feel and precision.

There also is a new SHO Performance Package that bundles 20-inch wheels with summer performance tires, unique brake pads, a shorter final drive ratio, and the ability to fully disable the stability control system. The suspension dampers are more aggressive and the rear springs are firmer, which Ford says improves turn-in and dynamic response to match the performance tires, although we didn't have a chance to sample a car so equipped.

Freshness Counts

Ford says there are three million Tauruses on American roads, and while the model is no longer America's (or even Ford's) bestselling car, the company certainly doesn't want to neglect it. While the changes for the 2013 Ford Taurus are not revolutionary, they do improve the car's driving dynamics, update its interior, and freshen its appearance. All of which should help keep the Ford Taurus from becoming stale in the minds of consumers.

New For 2013

A face-lifted 2013 Taurus debuted in the first half of 2012. A few months later, Ford announced a new engine option, the turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost, with which the Taurus gets up to 32 mpg on the highway. The already high-performance Taurus SHO has a new performance package with a firmer suspension and larger brakes.

Overview

The Taurus was redesigned just a few years ago, but it has already received a makeover. The 2013 model gets an exterior update that includes a wider front grille, narrower headlights, a restyled hood, and LED taillights. The interior has a nicely designed center stack, improved soft-touch materials, and an updated version of the oft-criticized MyFord Touch. New high-tech features for 2013 are a curve-control system, which applies the brakes if the car enters a sharp turn too quickly; active park assist; and torque-vectoring control, which is newly standard across the line. Under the hood, the standard 3.5-liter V-6 carries over, but it receives a bump to 288 hp and 254 lb-ft. A 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is a new engine option, and it ups fuel economy to 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway—quite impressive for a full-size sedan. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional on the SEL and the Limited. The most aggressive Taurus is the all-wheel-drive SHO, which sports a 365-hp, twin-turbo, direct-injection V-6. The SHO benefits this year from larger brake rotors and a new booster and master brake cylinder, which provides strong, fade-free deceleration. There is an optional performance package for the SHO that includes twenty-inch wheels, performance tires and brake pads, and a specially tuned suspension.

Safety

Front, side, and side curtain air bags; ABS; traction and stability control; tire-pressure monitors; programmable MyKey; the SOS Post-Crash Alert System; and blind-spot mirrors are standard. BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) is optional on the Limited and the SHO. A rearview camera and adaptive cruise control with collision warning are available.

You'll like:

Lots of available features

Roomy trunk

Available four-wheel drive

You won't like:

Big and heavy

SHO is expensive

Key Competitors For The 2013 Ford Taurus

When we typically think of Hennessey, Vipers, CTS-Vs and Raptors come to mind, and of course, the epic Venom GT. But those aren't the only options the company offers. And if you don't have a five-to-six figure tuning budget, Hennessey still offers a reasonably wallet-friendly option to get your kicks. If you're the owner of a Ford Taurus SHO, and crave just a little more kick than is offered by the stock configuration, Hennessey's got the fix for your need for speed.

To explore the American West, I, just like Edward Weston, will need a car. Weston is my hero and one of America's iconic photographic masters. Back in 1936, when he was already well on his way to international recognition, Weston bought a new Ford touring sedan (with the help of a Guggenheim grant) that allowed him to explore and photograph the American West over a two-year period. In doing so, he produced what many think is his best work -- and the photographs that most influenced my career.

Because the newest crop of cop cars weren't menacing enough, Ford and Dodge have seen fit to upgrade their offerings for 2013. Ford has added another engine option to its Taurus-based Police Interceptor, while Dodge has given the fuzz the right to order all-wheel drive on the Charger Pursuit.

When the SHO version of the Taurus debuted a couple of years ago, it was a big disappointment, mainly due to its inferior brakes. You cannot put a powerful engine under the hood of a big, heavy sedan and market it as a sport sedan, encouraging prospective owners to take it to track days, if you don't equip the car with adequate brakes. Well, actually, you can do that, because that's exactly what the Ford Motor Company did with the last Taurus SHO. Every enthusiast media outlet, including Automobile Magazine, called them out for it, and rightly so. I recall driving the Taurus about 5 miles on a straight stretch of two-lane, never going more than 70 or 80 mph, and applying moderate to heavy braking three or four times. When I got home after this brief drive, the brake pedal was soggy and the brake pads smelled horribly. I got out of the car in disgust and never had a kind word to say about the SHO thereafter.

2013 Ford Taurus SHO

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A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Potential Units Affected

390,783

Notes

Ford Motor Company

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Consequences

If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Potential Units Affected

12,569

Notes

Ford Motor Company

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.

Consequences

This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.

Potential Units Affected

183,425

Notes

Ford Motor Company

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Consequences

If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Potential Units Affected

83,250

Notes

Ford Motor Company

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequences

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Potential Units Affected

194,889

Notes

Ford Motor Company

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Summary

Ford Moor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequences

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on July 20, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.